The National Chairman of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Emmanuel Amakiri, Saturday, led other party leaders to receive Senator Bassey Albert into its fold.
At a crowded rally in Uyo, Mr. Akpan announced his formal defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with over 15,000 supporters to the YPP.
The supporters are said to be drawn from different political parties including the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Before Mr. Amakiri asked the state Chairman of the party, Nyenime Andy, to invite OBA into the party, he insisted that the YPP has come to stay in Akwa Ibom.
According to him, the time has come for young progressive Nigerians to take their destinies in their hands.
Mr. Amakiri also lauded the people for rallying around their popular son, OBA, to liberate Akwa Ibom from its current quagmire.
He described OBA as the best to take Akwa Ibom to its desired destination and urged the people to resist vote buying.
The YPP chairman said the misfortune facing the country currently is caused by vote buying and corruption.
Addressing the crowd of supporters, Mr. Akpan said he has willingly offered himself as an aspirant in the upcoming substitution primary of YPP following Mr. Andy’s withdrawal of his candidacy.
He assured the delegates that if given the chance at the primary, he will not disappoint the party, adding that as governor, Akwa Ibom people will enjoy social justice and welfare.
He also assured the people of Eket, Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts of fairness and equity in his government.
Mr. Akpan said his administration will be hinged on “3Rs,” promising to “Recover Akwa Ibom, Reconcile Akwa Ibom back to God and Reposition Akwa Ibom for greatness.”
Declaring that hope is by the corner, he said the next government will tackle hunger, insecurity, hardship and injustice.
OBA decried a situation where the current government has refused to pay imprests to workers for over 18 months while owing over N18 billion in pensions.
While declaring that YPP will defeat PDP in all the units, OBA promised to clear gratuities and pensions as well as arrears of promotions as governor.
Ephraim Inyang, who spoke on behalf of other decampees, promised that together with OBA, “we will make the difference.”
Equally, a former commissioner in the state, Samuel Efanga, said with the turnout at the rally, he was convinced that YPP was ready to take over power through the “ballot revolution.”
The event was preceded by the official unveiling of the state YPP secretariat and OBA’s campaign office both on Four Lanes, Uyo.
No Responses